"L'Auberge Espagnole," "Irréversible," "La Mentale" and "Respiro Mio": French sales agents sought after by foreign buyers.

Midway through the festival, sales of French films are booming, appealing particularly to the Americans.

Wild Bunch set the ball rolling with the first sales of "L'Auberge Espagnole" by Cédric Klapisch, with Fox recently acquiring a large share of the film's rights around the world, including distribution in America. In total, "L'Auberge Espagnole" already tallies international sales worth €2.5 million. Hot on the heels of Cédric Klapisch's film is "Irréversible" by Gaspar Noé, which even before being presented in competition this Friday at midnight, boasts sales worth close to €2 million.
Another sales agent to have tied up an agreement with a U.S major, Gaumont has sold the worldwide rights of "La Mentale," by Manuel Boursinhac, to Columbia for €5 million.
In a different vein, Sony Pictures Classics has acquired distribution rights for the U.S.A. and English-speaking Canada of "Respiro" by Emanuele Crialese, a French co-production presented at Critics' Week and sold by Roissy Films.